Busby Primary pupils create edible vertical garden

Kevin McRoberts

Published:10:31Friday 22 June 2018

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Green-fingered pupils from Busby Primary School took gardening to a new level with the creation of their own edible vertical garden.

Catalan landscape artist Marc Grañén has gained international recognition for his work with schools in Barcelona – he joined pupils from Busby Primary on the exciting project, his first installation in Scotland.

Pupils were involved in the designing and planting of the wall, using an assortment of plants including edible species like strawberries and herbs, as well as wildflowers to help support rare local butterflies, selected with the help of Butterfly Conservation Scotland project officer Anthony McCluskey.

Urban greening research scientist Dr Lynette Robertson was instrumental in bringing the initiative to Busby Primary.

She said: “Vertical gardens are a great way to liven up school grounds in urban areas with limited green space and they help provide much-needed opportunities for pupils to connect with nature.”

The installation was made possible with funding provided by the Nineveh Charitable Trust, Ernest Cook Trust, Tesco Bags of Help, and Timberplay Scotland.

Initial development of the project was funded through the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Ideas Fund.

Keith Geddes, chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Trust, said: “The Ideas Fund was created to support innovative projects and the edible wall is a great initiative that will inspire environmental awareness in our younger generations.”

Mark Weir, Busby Primary depute head teacher, said: “The vertical garden will bring a valuable resource to our school, providing the pupils with a vehicle to explore conservation, sustainability and biodiversity as themes within their education, helping them become active participants in their community. “We look forward to further developing our relationship with the Central Scotland Green Network and Butterfly Conservation as we move forward.

“A huge thanks must also go to our funding partners, without whom this project would not have been possible.”